News, 20 May 2004

20 May 2004

20 May 2004 A study into the views of German stem cell experts has found that three quarters believe that researchers will have discovered most of the functions of embryonic and adult stem cells within 10-20 years. The Delphi Study, conducted by the Max Delbrueck Centre for Molecular Medicine and Research Centre Juelich reported more optimistic attitudes towards adult stem cell research than towards embryonic, with 75-92% expressing optimism about the potential of adult stem cell research, compared with 47-61% on embryonic stem cells. One quarter of participants believed that advances in embryonic stem cell treatment in the next 10 years was "illusory". [Biomedcentral.com, 19 May ] A new international study has warned that car fumes could be responsible for one in six cot deaths, The Telegraph reports. The study looked at the death rates among 700,000 babies in the US compared with air pollution levels. The pollutant particles, PM10s, could also be responsible for 24% of respiratory disease deaths in infants under the age of one. There are approximately 300 cot deaths in Britain every year. [The Telegraph, 18 May ] The Guardian newspaper has reported that John Kerry, the Democrat presidential candidate, said in an interview with AP reporters that he is open to nominating pro-life judges. His comments caused some concern to abortion advocates but Kerry went on to pledge that he would not appoint anyone to the Supreme Court who would oppose Roe v. Wade. [The Guardian, 20 May ] In an interview with an Oregon newspaper, Kerry said that he would leave it to individual states to decide whether or not to legalise assisted suicide. He also said: "It's a very complicated, thorny, moral, ethical issue that people wrestle with. And I don't think it's the government's job to step in." [Lifenews.com, 19 May ] A wealthy Colorado Catholic who supports abortion has threatened to withhold a $100,000 donation to his parish's building project after Bishop Michael Sheridan began withholding Communion from pro-abortion Catholics. A spokesman for the bishop noted that many Catholics supported Sheridan's stance and had increased their donations. [The Washington Times, 19 May ]